City League Cups

Manchester City won the League Cup for the fifth time last week beating Arsenal 3-0 at Wembley. Nostalgia looks back at the Blues’ League Cup triumphs over the years

The look on Jeff Astle’s face said it all.

He’d made history by becoming the first player to score in the final of both the League Cup and FA Cup at Wembley.

Jeff Astle is dejected after losing to City in the 1970 League Cup Final.

But the England and West Bromwich Albion centre forward had little to celebrate after facing Manchester City in the 1970 League Cup Final.

His fifth minute goal – a trademark header – had been cancelled out by City’s Mike Doyle and the match went into extra time.

City eventually won 2-1 with the crucial goal coming from Glyn Pardoe.

The date was March 7th – 48 years ago today – but it feels like yesterday.

The Wembley pitch was heavy and muddy. It cut up badly during the match. Snow had been cleared into the corners of the ground as the teams took the field in front of a 97,963 crowd.

City rallied after Astle’s strike with Francis Lee hitting the bar. Our photo shows him being beaten to the ball by Albion full-back Doug Fraser. Clods of mud were sent flying through the air.

Albion’s Doug Fraser clears the ball from Francis Lee at Wembley, March 1970.

City ‘keeper Joe Corrigan was forced to make some difficult saves as Albion fought back. But he still found the strength at the end of the match to carry team-mate Ian Bowyer off the field!

oe Corrigan carries Ian Bowyer off the pitch at Wembley, March 1970.

Then it was time for the customary lap of honour as the victorious City players paraded their hard-won trophy round the Wembley pitch.

Man City players parade the trophy to their fans on a lap of honour after the match.7th March 1970.

It was to be a season of celebrations for City. As well as the League Cup, they also won the European Cup Winners’ Cup, beating Polish club Gornik Zabrze 2-1 in the final.

It was a different story for the Blues in the League Cup Final of March 1974.

City lost 2-1 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in front of a 97,866 crowd at Wembley. Colin Bell equalized at 1-1, but John Richards got the winner in the 85th minute.

The match was close with City attacking hard, but they just couldn’t make the vital breakthrough. Our picture shows Lee hurdling two Albion defenders – but to no avail.

Francis Lee hurdles two Wolves defenders, March 1974.

City striker Denis Law and Wolves attacker Derek Dougan embraced after the match. Law hasn’t signed for Wolves – he’s just swapped shirts!

City’s Dennis Law, in a Wolves shirt, with Derek Dougan, March 1974

The Blues were back at Wembley two years later for the 1976 League Cup Final against Newcastle United. This time, the result was much happier.

City won 2-1 thanks to goals from Peter Barnes and Dennis Tueart with his now legendary overhead kick. The image is seared in to the memories of all true Blues’ fans.

It’s also on a special commemorative mug on sale from iNostalgia! Check out iNostalgia.co.uk for details.

Colin Bell was injured for the game although defender Dave Watson was passed fit – even though he had earlier suffered a slipped disc.

Tueart, who had supported Newcastle as a boy, scored his winner at the start of the second half.

Dennis Tueart’s spectacular overhead goal at Wembley, February 1976.

A Willie Donachie ball to the far post was headed back across the box by Tommy Booth. Tueart, with his back to goal, executed an overhead kick that bounced beyond ‘keeper Mike Mahoney into the bottom left corner of the net.

Tueart later described the goal as the greatest of his career. Our photo shows him clutching the cup – in a Newcastle shirt – with team-mate Dave Watson.

Dave Watson and Dennis Tueart clutch on to the League Cup, February 1976.

City boss Tony Book became the first man to win the League Cup both as a player and a manager.

A bit like buses, City had to wait nearly 40 years for their next League Cup triumph – then three came along almost at once!

The Blues won the cup in 2014, 2016 and most recently last week.

The 2014 cup was secured with a 3-1 victory over Sunderland with the City goals coming from Yaya Toure, Samir Nasri and Jesus Navas.

Our photo shows ‘keeper Joe Hart and captain Vincent Kompany with the Capital One Cup, as it was then called, at Manchester Town Hall in May 2014.

The team had just enjoyed an open-top bus parade to celebrate winning the League Cup and Premier League in the same season.

Joe Hart and Vincent Kompany back in Manchester with the 2014 League Cup.

It took City extra time to beat Liverpool in the 2016 final. After finishing all-square at 1-1, City won the penalty shoot-out 3-1. Fernandinho scored the only goal in normal time in the 49th minute.You can read more about City’s football triumphs in Clive Hardy’s three About Manchester books covering the 1950s, 60s and 70s